Planet Leadership

Over the last 25 years, Scott Collison has held CEO and General Management positions at some of the world’s leading technology companies. Most recently he was CEO at Anaconda, a market-leading data science and AI company, where he rapidly grew product revenue and helped build a great company culture that was recognized as a Top Ten Employer in Austin by local media. He was also named one of the Top Ten CEOs among companies in the Data Science and AI space in 2019. He has led organizations at large software companies and startups, including Microsoft, VMware, Salesforce and SourceForge. He has been a founder at three startups. One of them, Signio, was acquired by VeriSign in 1999 in a transaction exceeding $1 billion. He is a Fulbright scholar and holds a Master of Arts and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts with special honors from the University of Texas, Austin. Scott continues to serve as a board member, investor and advisor for a number of early stage start-ups. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and cycling the Texas Hill Country on the weekends.

For more than two decades, John Toner, V has helped bring the produce industry together as vice president, convention and industry collaboration at the United Fresh Produce Association. He gets his daily thrills from helping craft the perfect opening night reception, finding a great product for an independent grower-shipper with a problem and securing a big sponsorship. He is obsessed with creating the perfect environment for his members to make new friends, gather good advice and see the best new products the industry has to offer. In fact, at the end of each year's convention, instead of feeling tired and worn out like any reasonable association professional, he feels energized and ready to tackle the next year’s convention. He is known for his love of scotch, his snazzy bowties and the huge smile always on his face.

Tatiana Morand is the Content and SEO Manager at Wild Apricot. She prepared the 2020 Virtual Events Research Report so that organizations could transition painlessly to a virtual event while continuing to increase membership and revenue. When she’s not preparing content to help small membership organizations with big dreams, you can find her reading a fantasy novel with her two cats by her side or exploring Toronto's cafe scene. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Tatiana shares her role and upcoming projects at Wild Apricot by Personify. What is “The Virtual Events Report”? Why was it created? Key report findings and predictions for virtual events Successes and Challenges of creating “The Virtual Events Report”. SEO tips and The Wild Apricot Blog. Additional Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatiana-morand-796b09104 The Virtual Events Report: https://trial.wildapricot.com/virtual-event-research-report Wild Apricot Grove: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WildApricotGrove Host, Alexandra Morgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alymrgn/

As Director of Sales Enablement at Personify, Shannon Hempel leads the strategy and execution of all sales training, coaching and development. Prior to her corporate career, Shannon was an educator in the Texas Public School System. She is a co-founder of Women in Sales Enablement (WiSE), which serves women in the U.S. and abroad to network and develop professionally and personally. She and her husband live in the Austin, TX area with their dog and two cats. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Shannon shares her background and her role at Personify. The importance of sales enablement within organizations today. Why enablement is crucial, even for associations, nonprofits and companies that don’t have a traditional “sales team.” How and why she founded an organization for Women in Sales Enablement Why it’s important to have a networking group where you can be vulnerable and open about your challenges and successes. The role that Shannon’s teaching background plays in how connects with account managers and the people that she coaches today. Additional Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonhempel/ Women in Sales Enablement: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wise-women-in-sales-enablment/

As an exhibit marketing strategist, Marlys Arnold combines image expertise and real-world marketing experience with a passion for trade shows. Not only has she been an exhibitor, but also the organizer of several expos and events. This unique perspective of the industry allows her to share new insights with both beginning and experienced exhibitors. She’s provided exhibitor training for events in a variety of industries, ranging from local consumer expos to some of the largest trade shows in the U.S. Her articles have appeared in trade show industry magazines and business publications, and she’s been featured on both traditional and online broadcasts. She hosts the Trade Show Insights blog/podcast and is the author of Build a Better Trade Show Image. She’s also the founder of the Exhibit Marketers Café, an online education community. Her latest book, Exhibit Design That Works, debuted in July 2017. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Marlys shares the most common mistakes and challenges in executing virtual events. How educating exhibitors before, during and after the show has evolved in the virtual world. Why the pandemic has increased the need for show organizers to offer exhibitor education and training for success. Why Marlys feels the importance of attending a virtual event yourself is critical to hosting your own events. How virtual experiences can still offer serendipitous and networking opportunities via architecting these experiences. What lessons Marlys learned from hosting her two-day Virtual Events Trailblazers Summit. What you can do to reduce your stress of a virtual event. How the 10 Commandments of Virtual Booth Staffing is essential for every organizer to share with their exhibitors and sponsors. How virtual events are leveling the playing field for exhibitors of all sizes. How exhibitors can maximize their virtual booth and learn from today’s television infomercials. What Marlys thinks the future of events will be. Additional Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlysarnold Twitter: https://twitter.com/ImageSpecialist Trade Show Insights blog/podcast: https://www.tradeshowinsights.com/ Virtual Lunch in the Exhibit Marketers Café: https://www.exhibitmarketerscafe.com/lunch

Ryan Brown joined NTP in March 2013 and serves as the VP of Sales. In this capacity, he oversees the strategic direction and execution of sales campaigns and the development of new sources of lead generation for his portfolio of industry-leading trade shows. He leads a team of professionals focused on meeting and exceeding all sales goals as well as maintaining the integrity of each event and providing high quality customer service to its exhibitors and sponsors. Prior to joining NTP, Ryan spent 7 years working on the association side of the business with the Consumer Electronics Association and most recently the American Composites Manufacturers Association. At ACMA, Ryan served as the Sr. Manager of Exhibit Sales where he oversaw sales efforts that landed ACMA’s COMPOSITES show in Tradeshow Executive’s Fastest 50. Ryan has a proven track record of innovation and success in sales strategy, market research/lead generation, and campaign management. He has worked extensively to grow, evolve, and ultimately drive revenue for every event he’s had the opportunity to impact. Ryan has a B.A. in English from The University of Mary Washington. Ryan is an active member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and received his CEM Certification in 2012. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How NTP Events, founded more than forty years ago, grew to become a full-service trade show management company Ryan shares examples of some of the events NTP has worked on for their 20+ clients across a variety of industries, topics and event sizes How NTP is working with their clients to convert all of their in-person events to virtual events, and how strategy has changed over the course of the pandemic How the team at NTP is building strategy around generating income from virtual events and leaning into the positives of virtual events How virtual events have created new challenges but also new opportunities, and how thinking differently is the key to maximizing virtual engagement How Ryan and NTP are working to educate their clients on how to be most successful in the virtual world Why the loss of live events has been challenging and emotionally difficult for NTP Events and their clients, and why there have been many tough conversations Why Ryan is advising clients that they should have a contingency plan for hybrid/online events even into 2021 Why Ryan believes the available digital event platforms are an expensive stop-gap measure that may only ever see a single use as things hopefully return to normal by next year Why it is important to make decisions based not just on the immediacy of the situation but on your long-term needs as well Additional Resources: Website: http://ntpevents.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-brown-cem-504a836/

Sarah Olivieri is a nonprofit business strategist, #1 International Best Selling Author, and former Executive Director. She has been featured on over 30 podcasts and is the creator of the Impact Method™ – a framework that helps nonprofits simplify their operations, build aligned teams, and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out. Sarah received her BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures and holds a master’s degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz. As the founder and heart behind PivotGround, Sarah helps nonprofits make a big impact with relative ease. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How a lot of nonprofit organizations are coming to Sarah for assistance with strategic planning to better adapt to the realities of the pandemic Why many of the pieces of fundraising advice don’t typically apply to smaller organizations just starting out, and why building a circle of major donors is key How engaging your employees to encourage small Facebook fundraisers on their birthdays can be a powerful way to get many small donations at once Why the for-profit industry has set an excellent example of how to create membership programs that are creative and offer value Why you should begin streamlining and systematizing your processes, including delegating or using smart automation Why limiting yourself to certain demographics and social groups only holds you back, and why authenticity is the key to speaking to all age groups Why creating new opportunities for members to engage with and get involved with your organization is the secret to attracting millennials Why it is important to get away from the events fundraising model, and why donation shouldn’t be a transactional event but should be about participation Why agility and robustness are the most important factors for organizations navigating the increasingly frequent world-changing challenges Why nonprofits should not be averse to taking risks, and why a willingness to take risks is the cornerstone of innovation Additional resources: Website: www.pivotground.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-olivieri/ Additional resources from Wild Apricot: Website: www.wildapricot.com Episode Host, Alexandra Morgan’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexandramorganca/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/wildapricot Twitter: @WildApricot

Mark Bogdansky is the Vice President of Meetings and Events for the Auto Care Association. Bogdansky oversees all trade shows for the Auto Care Association, its segments, committees, and managed associations, including the AAPEX and HDAW shows. His responsibilities include strategic planning, trade show management, partner and vendor relationships, contract negotiation, and on-site logistics. Prior to joining the Auto Care Association in November 2016, Bogdansky worked on the conventions for the National Retail Federation and Heart Rhythm Society. Prior to that, Mark was a high school teacher and college basketball coach. He is an active member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, and currently serves on its Advocacy Committee. He has also served on multiple industry advisory boards and committees and spoken at several industry events. Raised in Boston, Bogdansky graduated from Yeshiva University in New York, with a bachelor of arts in mathematics and a minor in business. He lives with his wife and son in Maryland. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Mark discusses the work of the Auto Care Association, representing every business in the supply chain that keep cars on the road How the Auto Care Association has assisted member organizations with navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic How Mark and the team at the International Association of Exhibitions and Events successfully pulled off their 2020 Exhibitions Day virtual event What future advocacy efforts IAEE will be pursuing going forward relating to the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on the industry Why part of the IAEE’s role is to educate lawmakers and policymakers on the industry’s concerns and needs What key lessons Mark and the team at IAEE learned when taking their annual event to a virtual space Why safety is at the heart of what Auto Care Association and IAEE are doing, and why they are working to support their members through keeping everyone safe as well What big wins and upsides Mark has noticed from the switch to virtual events, and why hybrid virtual/in-person events are going to be powerful going forward How the Auto Care Association’s AAPEX 2020 trade show is evolving into an entirely new experience, both in response to COVID and due to new innovations and opportunities Why the secret to creating an experience for your attendees is to focus on creating engaging, interactive concepts Additional resources: Website: www.autocare.org Website: www.aapexshow.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/markbogdansky/

Born and raised in Canada, Victoria Watson is a health policy specialist driven to close equity gaps in sexual and reproductive health and rights. Before joining the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning, Victoria worked in Washington, D.C. at the Center for Health and Gender Equity as an SRHR research analyst exploring the impact of foreign policy and legislation on reproductive justice, health, and human rights fulfillment. In Canada, she has worked as a policy coordinator at Cancer Care Ontario facilitating patient engagement and cancer screening program design, wherein she honed a passion for generating patient-centered policies and programming. Her personal experience as a cancer survivor motivated a life-long commitment to non-communicable disease (NCD) advocacy and community engagement, and for this reason, Victoria also sits on the Governing Council of NCD Child, a global advocacy coalition championing youth health rights in global NCD control. As a teenager, Victoria was an ambassador for Canada’s Children’s Wish Foundation, being a public speaker and sharing her story as a survivor to emphasize the need for integrated social support for cancer patients. Following her undergraduate in public policy and MSc. in Global Health, she applied her research and work experiences to better understand the social determinants to health that put youth at greater risk of preventable chronic diseases, and what health systems can do to make care more accessible, affordable, and meaningful for diverse populations. This led her to work at high-level global health organizations such as the Clinton Foundation, to working within hospitals in southern India. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Victoria’s organization operates in more than 80 countries, advancing sexual and reproductive health rights, and justice for young people and adolescents globally How the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning was founded in 2013 as a movement of young people pressing to be included in the discussion around global health policy-making and discourse What organizational, cultural and financial challenges the IYAFP faced as a young, global organization How the IYAFP maneuvered and scaled up from being a grassroots organization to a formalized INGO What advice Victoria has for nonprofits just starting out and for nonprofits that have reached a plateau and are having trouble progressing What common problems organizations face when reaching a growth plateau, and why refocusing your organization on its mission can often help correct these issues Why utilizing communication best practices can help strengthen your team and reorient your team around the organization’s vision What practical, actionable advice Victoria has for nonprofit organizations attempting to navigate the global pandemic crisis Why taking the time to do a strategic refresh can help you identify ways to adapt to crisis and your changing environment Why data, communication with stakeholders, and a focus on the community you serve and its needs can help you navigate challenging times Additional resources: Website: https://iyafp.org/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-watson-aba9a752/ Additional resources from Wild Apricot: Website: www.wildapricot.com Episode Host, Alexandra Morgan’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexandramorganca/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/wildapricot Twitter: @WildApricot

Michael O’Brien became the publisher of LAM in December 2014. A native of Niagara Falls, New York, he joined ASLA in 2009 as its chief financial officer and continues in that role as well. Michael is a graduate of the State University of New York College at Geneseo with a B.S. in Accounting. He also obtained the Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) certification and the Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA) certification from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Before joining ASLA, Michael worked for CFO To Go and Price Waterhouse (currently PricewaterhouseCoopers) in various management, auditing, and accounting roles. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has served its trade association members across the country since 1899 How the ASLA is providing assistance to members through the global pandemic, including free membership to students How the ASLA has been offering webinars to assist members, and how the pandemic outbreak has impacted the ASLA’s magazine publication process How ASLA has made the transition to remote work, and how they recently went through a major renovation process on their building How the pandemic forced the ASLA to cancel all of their spring activities and summits, and how they are adapting to the disruption How the ASLA’s annual trade show brings thousands of members together in destination locations and takes attendees out into the host city What other offerings the annual trade show shares with attendees, and how Saturdays at the show are particularly unique How the ASLA brings in student volunteers and offers them credit for each hour the student volunteers work How each year the ASLA offers a “legacy project” for high school student groups, and how they solicit show vendors to donate equipment to the project What new offerings the ASLA is offering, including a social media campaign to create ten minute TED talks Additional resources: Website: www.asla.org LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michael-o-brien-35583046/

Amy Neumann is a keynote speaker who enjoys traveling internationally – and in the United States – to inspire and influence World Changers to leverage technology to do more of their mission work faster and easier, while also being more inclusive. #changetheworld Amy is also a social good and technology fanatic who has been creating positive change for over two decades. With a focus on blockchain and AI, she is a social impact entrepreneur who founded a startup nonprofit called Free Tech for Nonprofits (and its subsidiary, Technology Inclusion) to help nonprofits do more of their important work faster while being inclusive as well as proactive about diversity and equity. She is also CEO and principal of the social enterprise consultancy, Good Plus Tech, with a focus on leveraging emerging technologies and smart communication strategies to solve global social impact challenges. Amy speaks often, at places like Dell’s Social Innovation Conference, ASU’s Sustainability Conference, NTEN events, Blockland Solutions, nonprofit events, and universities. She is widely published, including as a contributor to Forbes, an author of PR News’ Crisis Management Guidebook, a contributor for Thrive Global, and a columnist for the Huffington Post. Because she can’t get enough of innovative world-changers, Amy also publishes on her passion project site, CharityIdeas.org. Amy’s 2018 Simon & Schuster book, Simple Acts to Change the World: 500 Ways to Make a Difference, is a tribute to the many great ideas she’s discovered on the topics of social good, social justice, equity, technology for good, and volunteering through her work and philanthropy. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Amy first got involved in the nonprofit sector, and how she recognized the value modern technology offers to nonprofits How technology can help expand a nonprofit organization’s reach far beyond their local area, and how nonprofits can potentially get an advertising grant from Google Adwords Why Amy suggests you write down the ten most frequently asked questions you get from your members and then create content that answers those questions How to identify the right technology that can solve your challenges, and how review websites like capterra.com can help you decide which software tools are right for you What other free and low-cost tools Amy recommends for nonprofits to use, and why these tools can be valuable resources for consistent design and content creation How LinkedIn can be an excellent connection and networking tool, and how Amy recommends you keep up with your content schedule Why TED talks can be invaluable resources for educating yourself on new technologies and ideas for nonprofits, and how Think with Google can help with your marketing efforts Amy shares the kinds of impact organizations she has worked with have received through embracing the technology available to them How there are tools that can even help you reach a new audience through Duolingo and YouTube translations to improve your discovery across languages Amy Neumann’s Recommended Tools: Capterra software reviews: www.capterra.com Airtable project management: https://airtable.com/ Canva art design: www.canva.com Hootsuite social media scheduling: https://hootsuite.com/ Buffer social media tools: https://buffer.com/ Grammarly writing tool: www.grammarly.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Think with Google marketing resources: www.thinkwithgoogle.com Coursera learning platform: www.coursera.org Udemy learning platform: www.udemy.com Additional resources: Simple Acts to Change the World by Amy Neumann: https://500simpleacts.com/ Reach out to Amy Neumann: https://amyneumann.com/contact-amy-neumann/ Website: https://freetechfornonprofits.org/ Website: https://amyneumann.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amyneumann/

Adam Reider is the Manager of Technical Training and Support at the American Optometric Association, where he oversees training programs and end-user support. Adam works with business units to ensure all users have sufficient knowledge of applications through training workshops, documentation, and online help tools. His focus is on ensuring customer satisfaction and timely issue resolution. Adam also mentors support specialists to resolve issues and assists development staff in creating new features and implementing new modules. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Adam discusses his role at the American Optometric Association (AOA), and he discusses the work the AOA does as a professional membership association How the AOA represents more than 44,000 constituents including doctors of optometry, optometric professionals and students across the United States What major changes the AOA has made to assist members due to the global coronavirus pandemic and the challenges members are facing What key long term plans and programs the AOA is working to implement to assist members, affiliates and even non-members to survive the challenge of the pandemic How AOA made the difficult decision to cancel their annual in-person conference, and how they are working to digitize their content How the AOA has worked to swiftly adapt to the new reality of work-from-home and social distancing Additional resources: Website: www.aoa.org LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adam-reider-7109baa6

Teresa Zimmerman serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Personify. She leads Personify’s global marketing organization and is responsible for driving market leadership, global awareness, demand generation, strategic events and product go-to-market plans. Teresa has a rich history of success driving excellence at enterprise SaaS companies, having spent time at Bazaarvoice, Lithium and Fuze where she oversaw North American marketing programs, including field and solutions marketing, demand creation, advertising and events. Beyond the office, Teresa serves on the board of directors for BookSpring, a nonprofit supporting childhood literacy and resides with her family in Austin, Texas. A recognized leader in marketing, brand and content, Erin Geoffroy has spent over 10 years helping organizations tell meaningful stories and create effective engagement strategies. Her diverse background includes developing highly effective national marketing campaigns and digital tools in the software, consumer goods, healthcare and nonprofit sectors. Since obtaining her MBA in Marketing and MA in Journalism in 2016, Erin has focused on empowering nonprofits and associations to better engage their members and donors through technology and the use of data-driven insights. At Personify, Erin develops and executes marketing campaigns across Personify’s verticals and suite of products and leads brand marketing initiatives. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Why the virtual PersoniFest event shared the same goals as previous live PersoniFest conferences, and why the virtual event was a tremendous success How this year’s virtual event had nearly five times the attendance of previous in-person events, with several hundred additional attendees registering on the day of the event Why the virtual event offered the chance to provide value without asking attendees to travel or spend money on lodging and meals Why a big part of the strength of the virtual Personifest was found in its incredible agenda packed with remarkable speakers Why pre-recording various parts of the event and the streaming it live in real-time was key to ensuring minimal technical issues Erin discusses PersoniFest 2020 keynote speaker, NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino, and how impactful his keynote address was What adjustments needed to be made to bring breakout session speakers to the audience through video conferencing tool Zoom How Erin and Teresa hosted live “round table happy hours” at the end of the day, allowing clients to interact with the Personify team and other clients How to sign up for updates and future details regarding PersoniFest 2020, to be held in the spring in Austin TX, Washington D.C., and Chicago IL Additional resources: Website: https://personifycorp.com/ Teresa’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tazimmerz/ Erin’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eringeoffroy/

Amy Jacobus is obsessed with helping service providers, entrepreneurs and mission-based business owners increase their impact with smart, human marketing online. Amy teaches workshops and leads programs full of simple, apply-it-now strategies for your website, email and social media, including her signature program, Confident + Consistent Marketing. She has designed courses, facilitated workshops and participated in panel discussions for the University of Denver, LEAP at St. Mary’s College, Barnard College, New York Foundation for the Arts, Gibney Dance, The Artist Co-op and Pentacle, among others. Learn more about Amy and her work at amyjacobus.marketing and follow her at @amyjacobus on Instagram. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Amy’s early interest in both dance and writing led her to her current career helping nonprofit organizations market themselves Amy shares some of the key lessons she has learned and favorite experiences she has had working in the nonprofit space Why “perfection paralysis” is a real challenge for nonprofit organizations, and why over-editing your work can be a problem Why engaging with your current audience is at least as important as attracting a new audience, and why it’s worth overcoming the capacity challenge to nurture relationships Amy offers five key prompts to help you generate new content ideas that are relevant and valuable to your audience How Amy helps clients tell authentic and engaging stories to answer frequently asked questions about their organizations What steps Amy recommends to encourage your audience to view your content, and why teasing the content is the secret to getting subscribers to engage Why not all of your contacts needs to have a call to action, and why nurturing and delighting your existing subscribers can help spread your message Why starting one-on-one conversations with subscribers can help them feel connected to your organization on a deeper level Why it is important to celebrate your successes with your subscribers and express gratitude for their support Additional resources: Website: https://amyjacobus.marketing/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amynjacobus/

Teresa Zimmerman serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Personify. She leads Personify’s global marketing organization and is responsible for driving market leadership, global awareness, demand generation, strategic events, and product go-to-market plans. Teresa has a rich history of success driving excellence at enterprise SaaS companies, having spent time at Bazaarvoice, Lithium, and Fuze where she oversaw North American marketing programs, including field and solutions marketing, demand creation, advertising, and events. Beyond the office, Teresa serves on the board of directors for BookSpring, nonprofit supporting childhood literacy and resides with her family in Austin, Texas. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How, at the time of recording of this episode, the team at Personify is hard at work putting the finishing touches on their virtual Personifest 2020 event How Teresa and the team needed to be flexible and adapt to the challenge of shifting an in-person event to a virtual experience while maintaining attendee engagement What key questions Teresa and the team had to answer when making the leap from in-person to the virtual event What important elements the team focused on to shift to the virtual experience, and why these event elements were so important How the team has created a virtual sharing space where clients can communicate with each other and discuss important topics with their peers Why an in-person event can’t be translated beat-for-beat to a virtual event, and why careful planning and consideration is vital Additional resources: Website: https://personifycorp.com/ Teresa’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tazimmerz/ Personifest 2020 virtual event website: www.personifest.com

Teresa Zimmerman serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Personify. She leads Personify’s global marketing organization and is responsible for driving market leadership, global awareness, demand generation, strategic events, and product go-to-market plans. Teresa has a rich history of success driving excellence at enterprise SaaS companies, having spent time at Bazaarvoice, Lithium, and Fuze where she oversaw North American marketing programs, including field and solutions marketing, demand creation, advertising, and events. Beyond the office, Teresa serves on the board of directors for BookSpring, nonprofit supporting childhood literacy and resides with her family in Austin, Texas. A recognized leader in marketing, brand, and content, Erin Geoffroy has spent over 10 years helping organizations tell meaningful stories and create effective engagement strategies. Her diverse background includes developing highly effective national marketing campaigns and digital tools in the software, consumer goods, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. Since obtaining her MBA in Marketing and MA in Journalism in 2016, Erin has focused on empowering nonprofits and associations to better engage their members and donors through technology and the use of data-driven insights. At Personify, Erin develops and executes marketing campaigns across Personify’s verticals and a suite of products and leads brand marketing initiatives. Kevin Gough helps deliver high-quality and relevant content to the association market as the Senior Campaigns Coordinator at Personify. He has been a multifunctional member of the marketing team during his time at Personify, beginning within the Demand Generation organization before subsequently transitioning to his current role in the Brand and Communications organization. As a member of the PersoniFest team, Kevin manages the sponsor experience and works to provide the tools and guidance sponsors need to maximize their presence at the conference. When he isn’t at work, Kevin is an avid snowboarder and can usually be found re-reading his favorite books. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Teresa explains how sponsors reached out to let the team know they were interested in participating in the Personifest virtual event due to great existing relationships How the team worked to build a structure for the virtual event that allows sponsors to connect with virtual attendees Why the team is charging a lower rate for virtual sponsor opportunities than they have in the past for the in-person event Kevin discusses the creative solutions that have been designed for sponsors to increase their visibility Why, even though a virtual event doesn’t offer the same engagement opportunities as a live event, the increase in audience reach makes up for the difference Why communicating with sponsors throughout the virtual event setup is the key to strengthening relationships and tailoring the event to the sponsors’ needs Additional resources: Website: https://personifycorp.com/ Teresa’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tazimmerz/ Erin’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eringeoffroy/ Kevin’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmgough/

Joy Duling has been working with leaders of associations, trade groups and nonprofits since 2005. She has also walked the same journey, serving for nearly 10 years as the Executive Director of a membership-based nonprofit which she helped launch from scratch and led to annual revenues of more than $1M exclusively from membership contributions. Joy has been widely recognized as a speaker, an online educator and a trusted advisor, twice winning the “Unsung Hero Award” from the National Association of Women Business Owners’ Central Illinois Chapter. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work with Specialization in Policy, Planning and Administration. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, team facilitation, change management, and association operations. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Joy initially got involved in nonprofits after originally planning on going into medicine, and how Joy’s desire to help others was the common thread Why working with multiple nonprofit organizations allows Joy to create many positive ripple effects from her work How Joy’s work with three unique and particular nonprofit organizations showcase her passion for helping others What advice Joy would offer to nonprofits who are struggling to progress, and why keeping a focus on the member or donor experience is vital Why nonprofit leaders need to adapt their strategies to make stronger connections with constituents and members Why the constituent experience is a common roadblock that many organizations face, and why it is important to demonstrate the value you create to the people you serve Why you should consider what your constituents’ aspirations are, what questions they may have about your work, and what emotional state they are in Why a misalignment between what an organization is offering and what a community is needing can cause community disengagement Why you should focus on your constituents’ aspirations first, and why once you understand their aspirations you can begin shaping your message and offerings Why you can focus on these three questions at any time and at any period of your organization’s lifespan Additional resources: Website: www.missionandmagnetism.com Website: https://joyofmembership.com/help Email: support@joyofmembership.com Website: https://joyofmembership.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joyduling/

Teresa Zimmerman serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Personify. She leads Personify’s global marketing organization and is responsible for driving market leadership, global awareness, demand generation, strategic events, and product go-to-market plans. Teresa has a rich history of success driving excellence at enterprise SaaS companies, having spent time at Bazaarvoice, Lithium, and Fuze where she oversaw North American marketing programs, including field and solutions marketing, demand creation, advertising, and events. Beyond the office, Teresa serves on the board of directors for BookSpring, nonprofit supporting childhood literacy and resides with her family in Austin, Texas. A recognized leader in marketing, brand, and content, Erin Geoffroy has spent over 10 years helping organizations tell meaningful stories and create effective engagement strategies. Her diverse background includes developing highly effective national marketing campaigns and digital tools in the software, consumer goods, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. Since obtaining her MBA in Marketing and MA in Journalism in 2016, Erin has focused on empowering nonprofits and associations to better engage their members and donors through technology and the use of data-driven insights. At Personify, Erin develops and executes marketing campaigns across Personify’s verticals and a suite of products and leads brand marketing initiatives. As Head of Product Marketing for Personify, Megan Lopez supports Personify go-to-market strategies across our constituent management and engagement solutions including positioning, messaging and buyer insights. Megan is a storyteller, working directly with our clients to understand their challenges and transform features into value-based benefits. She has led the PersoniFest program committee for the past three years, supporting the development of content, training, meet-ups and experiences for clients running our suite of solutions. Megan is a graduate of Baylor University with a degree in Marketing and Public Relations. Outside of the office, Megan enjoys spending time with her family, running and binging the latest Netflix releases. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Teresa has been working to understand the technology and engagement options Personify’s partners have to help facilitate the virtual event How Teresa’s team is working on a guide for best practices to educate and prepare speakers, and how they have designated speaker liaisons to help the flow of communication What recommendations Erin has to bring a sense of fun for your speakers and guests in a virtual environment How Teresa is working to ensure that content is being delivered that is both engaging and that works well in an online event What considerations Erin is making to maximize participant engagement with the content that will be delivered at the event How Megan has been working to convert three days of event content into a single day virtual event, and how she has been choosing what content to feature Why Megan and her team decided to build a tightly structured event, and what efforts they have made to tighten the content focus Why flexibility is key when designing a virtual event, and why prioritizing the attendee experience can guide all your other decisions Additional resources: Website: https://personifycorp.com/ Teresa’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tazimmerz/ Erin’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eringeoffroy/ Megan’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/megan-lopez-299ba16a/

Teresa Zimmerman serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Personify. She leads Personify’s global marketing organization and is responsible for driving market leadership, global awareness, demand generation, strategic events, and product go-to-market plans. Teresa has a rich history of success driving excellence at enterprise SaaS companies, having spent time at Bazaarvoice, Lithium, and Fuze where she oversaw North American marketing programs, including field and solutions marketing, demand creation, advertising, and events. Beyond the office, Teresa serves on the board of directors for BookSpring, nonprofit supporting childhood literacy and resides with her family in Austin, Texas. A recognized leader in marketing, brand, and content, Erin Geoffroy has spent over 10 years helping organizations tell meaningful stories and create effective engagement strategies. Her diverse background includes developing highly effective national marketing campaigns and digital tools in the software, consumer goods, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. Since obtaining her MBA in Marketing and MA in Journalism in 2016, Erin has focused on empowering nonprofits and associations to better engage their members and donors through technology and the use of data-driven insights. At Personify, Erin develops and executes marketing campaigns across Personify’s verticals and a suite of products and leads brand marketing initiatives. Julia Thurston’s Bio: As the head of marketing operations and demand generation for Personify, Julia Thurston is responsible for the marketing delivery functions across our digital ecosystem. Julia brings her technology leadership experience to this role having previously run operations, management and integration initiatives with our sales organization. Julia is passionate about the intersection between client experience and operational process, approaching the digital world through the lens of the physical. Julia is a graduate from Texas Christian University with a degree in Biology, a minor in Business and Chemistry and a member of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Team. In her free time, Julia enjoys the outdoors and travel. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Why communication and keeping PersoniFest stakeholders both internal and external informed has been key to moving the event to a virtual space How the PersoniFest virtual event will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2020, at 9:30 am EDT (8:30 am central) Why translating physical experiences to a virtual space has been challenging, and what innovative solutions the team has created to make the event special How a key early step in transferring PersoniFest into a virtual experience was to evaluate what tools and technology were available that could be leveraged Why establishing clear goals and technology needs for a virtual event and focusing on offering values to attendees is vital Why being mindful of the quality of the experience and ensuring that audio and video are sufficiently robust is very important Additional resources: Website: https://personifycorp.com/ Teresa’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tazimmerz/ Erin’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eringeoffroy/

Terry is a non-profit tech expert and SEO consultant, previously heading up the SEO department at Wild Apricot/Personify. Currently, he’s following his passion and switching up careers by pursuing a degree in animation. He hosts his own podcast about all things Animation and is using his business expertise to pursue solo endeavors. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Terry initially got involved in working in the nonprofit world, and how he began at Wild Apricot and learned SEO (search engine optimization) Why SEO is an important visibility tool that nonprofit organizations should be using to promote their organizations Why SEO is a great, free option that can help you generate traffic and attract followers to your content Why optimizing your home page and filling out Google My Business are two powerful ways nonprofits of any size can increase their visibility Why it is important to know what keywords users are searching for to find your organization, and how Google Analytics can help you determine what keywords to use How Google indexes and ranks every page on the internet, and what steps you can take to help Google rank you more highly What “backlinks” are, and why it is important to get other websites to link back to your own to increase your Google ranking Why your first step should be to optimize your home page and demonstrate the value your nonprofit offers its members What well-optimized websites Terry recommend you look at to see examples of how sites use SEO to maximize their impact Why social media is a relatively minor component for your ranking, and why you should still make sure your social media is clean, consistent and somewhat active Additional resources: Google My Business website: www.google.com/business/ Google Analytics website: https://analytics.google.com/analytics/ Backlinko website: https://backlinko.com/ AHREFS website: https://ahrefs.com/ Email: terryibele@gmail.com Twitter: @terrystories LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-ibele-4924557/ Website: www.terryibele.com

Teresa Zimmerman serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Personify. She leads Personify’s global marketing organization and is responsible for driving market leadership, global awareness, demand generation, strategic events and product go-to-market plans. Teresa has a rich history of success driving excellence at enterprise SaaS companies, having spent time at Bazaarvoice, Lithium and Fuze where she oversaw North American marketing programs, including field and solutions marketing, demand creation, advertising and events. Beyond the office, Teresa serves on the board of directors for BookSpring, a nonprofit supporting childhood literacy and resides with her family in Austin, Texas. A recognized leader in marketing, brand and content, Erin Geoffroy has spent over 10 years helping organizations tell meaningful stories and create effective engagement strategies. Her diverse background includes developing highly effective national marketing campaigns and digital tools in the software, consumer goods, healthcare and nonprofit sectors. Since obtaining her MBA in Marketing and MA in Journalism in 2016, Erin has focused on empowering nonprofits and associations to better engage their members and donors through technology and the use of data-driven insights. At Personify, Erin develops and executes marketing campaigns across Personify’s verticals and suite of products and leads brand marketing initiatives. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How the global coronavirus pandemic has broadly impacted associations across all industries, and how Personify is working to help these associations adapt How Teresa and Erin and their team have worked to shift the 2020 PersoniFest event into an entirely online virtual experience, and what steps they are taking to make it work Why it has been important to analyze and adjust the goals for PersoniFest and to adapt delivery to support those goals How adapting PersoniFest’s more than three days of events to a single-day virtual event has been challenging but also has presented an exciting opportunity How teamwork and collaboration, both internally and with external vendors and other partners, has been critically important to adapting the event to the virtual space What advice Erin and Teresa would offer to associations who need to swiftly adapt their events to virtual experiences Why clear communication and keeping stakeholders well-informed, engaged and allowing them to be a part of the process is important Additional resources: Website: https://personifycorp.com/ Teresa’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tazimmerz/ Erin’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eringeoffroy/

Julia Campbell has run her digital marketing consulting business for almost a decade, focused exclusively on mission-driven organizations. A mom of 2 and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, she is the author of Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, a call-to-action for nonprofits to use stories to accomplish their missions. Based in Boston, Julia is a global authority on digital storytelling, with happy clients spanning the globe from Moscow to San Francisco. She has provided workshops and training to Meals on Wheels America, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Facebook. Julia is a frequent contributor to Nonprofit Tech for Good, Social Media Today, Maximize Social Business, Elevation Web, Network for Good, Wild Apricot, and others. Her passion is to get nonprofits of all sizes to stop spinning their wheels on social media and to start getting real results using digital tools. You can check out her thoughts and ideas on all things nonprofit digital storytelling and social media at www.jcsocialmarketing.com/blog. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Julia initially got involved in working for nonprofit organizations through an early interest in activism and changing the world How Julia’s time working at a domestic violence shelter taught her that building trust and credibility before making big changes is key Why Julia developed her easy to follow three-step framework for her book “How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit in 90 Days” How under Julia’s framework, the first 30 days of the process is focused on clarifying an organization’s goals and creating a blueprint for content creation Why the next 30 days is focused on captivating an audience by creating attention-grabbing, relevant content Why it can be better to focus on just a few content channels and platforms rather than spreading yourself too thin How the final 30 days is about cultivating your community with periodic campaigns and constant interactions and sharing of valuable content Julia offers examples of campaigns designed to inspire certain feelings like hope or anger in an audience before calling them to action Why a consistent posting cadence is a key to getting social media platform algorithms to recognize and promote your content Why you should be analyzing your success and failure so that you can learn what is working and tailor your content to trends Additional resources: Website: https://jcsocialmarketing.com/ Email: julia@jcsocialmarketing.com Julia Campbell’s Amazon author page: https://amzn.to/2w6bGuG LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/juliacampbell/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/jcsocialmarketing Twitter: @JuliaCSocial

General Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle became president and chief executive officer of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) on June 15, 2017. Carlisle came to NDIA after a 39-year career in the Air Force, from which he retired as a four-star general in March 2017. His last assignment was as commander, Air Combat Command (ACC) at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Prior to serving as the ACC commander, Carlisle was the Commander of Pacific Air Forces, the Air Component Commander for U.S. Pacific Command, and Executive Director of the Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Carlisle has served in various operational and staff assignments throughout the Air Force and commanded a fighter squadron, an operations group, two wings, and a numbered air force. He was a joint service officer and served as chief of air operations, U.S. Central Command Forward in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During that time, he participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. He also participated in Operation Provide Comfort in Turkey and Operation Noble Eagle, which continues. Carlisle served as director of operational planning, policy, and strategy, deputy chief of staff for air, space and information operations, plans, and requirements, and twice in the plans and programs directorate. He also served as deputy director and later director of legislative liaison at the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. Carlisle is a command pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours in the AT-38, YF-110, YF-113, T-38, F-15A/B/C/D, and C-17A. What you’ll learn about in this episode: What the National Defense Industrial Association is, what its mission is, and how it works to support our military and manufacturers who create products for the military Why General Carlisle decided to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy, and how his military career and leadership progressed over 39 years What important lessons on leadership General Carlisle learned over the course of his military career Why a military career requires the right combination of personality traits including dedication, work ethic, and tenacity, and why it isn’t the right career path for everyone How the military promotion process works, and why having the right attitude is the key to advancing Why a willingness to learn and adapt are important traits for leaders, both within the military and in the business world How General Carlisle made the transition from his military career to post-military work, and how working at NDIA requires a different perspective from his roles in the military How the NDIA, turning 100-years-old this year, is looking to the future with the goal of adapting to modern challenges and opportunities What exciting new initiatives and programs the NDIA has been working on since General Carlisle came into his role as president and CEO Why new digital technologies and innovations are creating opportunities for the NDIA to continue to grow and serve Additional resources: Website: www.ndia.org LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/general-herbert-j-carlisle-09047bb1/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/NDIAMembership/ Twitter: @NDIAToday

Michael founded Small World Labs, which is now Personify Community, with the goal of providing organizations with the collaborative technology and solutions necessary to better connect with and empower their constituents, in a manner similar to which Michael saw early Internet technologies empower his deaf parents and connect them with the outside world. Prior to founding Small World Labs, Michael served as the Director of Product Management at Coremetrics, a leading provider of web analytics solutions (now a division of IBM). As head of the group, Michael’s responsibilities included delivering new products and services, evaluating new markets, and assessing partner technologies. Prior to that, Michael was a management consultant for R. B. Webber & Company (a spin-off of McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group associates) where he led projects for high-tech companies, including Hewlett-Packard, Sprint, FedEx, ReSound (a hearing assistance accessories provider), and several startups. Michael holds a B.A. in economics with summa cum laude and departmental honors from Yale University and has completed studies in international economics at Oxford University. Michael also serves on the board of the Texas School for the Deaf Foundation. What you’ll learn about in this episode from Jennifer Hoff: How Michael Wilson made the journey into entrepreneurship Different career moves that helped prepare Wilson to run a business The ideation process Wilson used to create his first company Hardships that he faced during the first couple years of running his business Wilson’s take on traits that define a successful entrepreneur Why Michael Wilson was drawn to partner with Personify The advantages and future of online communities Additional Resources: Website: https://personifycorp.com/products/personify-community Twitter: https://twitter.com/Personifycorp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilsonmichael Facebook: https://facebook.com/personifycorp

Expo! Expo!, IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, is the “show for shows.” In this unique episode of the Planet Leadership podcast recorded live from the Expo! Expo! show floor, industry leaders Jennifer Hoff of Taffy Event Strategies, Erika Welling from PRA Business Events, and Amy Calvert with the Events Industry Council share their thoughts on technology, social responsibility, and the important role business leaders can play in making the world a better place. Jennifer Hoff has spent her career producing trade shows and conferences. Most recently, she launched a full-service trade show and event management company, Taffy Event Strategies. Taffy Events produces exhibitions and conferences including Coverings and ASPE-The American Society of Plumbing Engineers Expo. Prior to that, she worked with VP International to launch new events in a variety of market segments. Jennifer is active in trade show industry organizations including the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO). She has served on the program committee and as Chairman of the Board for the IAEE Capital Chapter and has held various IAEE national positions including Board Director and Education Committee. She serves on the CEM faculty for IAEE. She has also contributed to the Art of the Show, 3rd edition, which is a textbook used in colleges and universities. In addition, she has instructed the Introduction to Exposition Management course at Northern Virginia Community College. During her trade show industry career, she has received several industry awards and accolades including the IAEE 2018 Woman of Achievement Award. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech in Production and Operations Management. Erika Welling, CEM, PRA Las Vegas General Manager, has decades of experience as an innovative and highly driven marketing and operations leader in the hospitality industry. Having been on launch teams for exhibitions, attractions, and tours, she utilizes those skills and experiences in her role as Las Vegas General Manager at PRA, an internationally known business event management company. Erika has provided resources and guidance to many during her career, which includes senior-level operations and marketing for international general service contractors in the exhibitions and events industry. Previous to working in the general services contracting world, Erika was Regional and International Director for Themed Restaurants and Attractions, and Director for a prominent Las Vegas transportation and sightseeing company. Erika has served over 16 years on the board of the Las Vegas Hospitality Association (LVHA), presently serves as a SWIAEE Board Director, is on the CEM faculty and IAEE membership engagement committee. Throughout her career, Erika has served on boards of tourism, professional education and philanthropic associations. Erika invariably incorporates her education learned from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and art experience within her profession. In her free time, she enjoys an assortment of art projects, reading, skiing, and hiking. Amy Calvert is the CEO of the Events Industry Council, whose 30+ member organizations represent over 103,500 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties involved in the events industry. Amy leads the council in advancing the events industry and professionals who advance the business of meetings. In her previous role as Senior Vice President of Sales & Services for Visit Baltimore, Amy made it her mission to strengthen their partnerships with key industry stakeholders and boost Charm City’s appeal and visibility in key market segments. Amy truly understands the positive ripple effect that occurs when a city can keep its hotels occupied and its convention center’s calendar booked. As a key member of the executive leadership team, Amy contributed to the promotional, business development, and operational management strategies of the organization. She developed and directed the promotional strategies that were implemented by the sales and services team, and collaborated with them to ensure that they properly implemented these programs in order to position Baltimore as a major tourist and meeting-planning destination. What you’ll learn about in this episode from Jennifer Hoff: Why the show and event industry needs to be focusing on innovative new technologies to better run and manage events, and why integrating functions across roles is key Why Jennifer believes that data analytics and data-driven decision making is the future of the industry, and what future trends she is expecting to develop How Taffy Event Strategies has positioned itself as a well-known and industry-respected full-service trade show company How Jennifer’s career focus has changed as Taffy Event Strategies has grown, and how she has learned to let go of day-to-day work to focus more on leading What you’ll learn about in this episode from Erika Welling: Why Erika sees augmented reality technology as the future of interactive educational experiences in event planning Why raising awareness and educating the public about important social issues such as sustainability and human trafficking is an important core value at PRA How PRA Business Events was founded and became one of the first franchise-based businesses in the industry, and how they have developed international partnerships How PRA’s international partnerships allow them to offer unique value for their clients with international event needs How Erika’s career journey led her to her current role, and what challenges she faced early in her career as a young woman in a leadership position What you’ll learn about in this episode from Amy Calvert: How the Events Industry Council collects data on the industry reflecting the important impact the events industry has on global employment and GDP How the Events Industry Council works to unify the global events industry, and how they offer an industry certification for industry professionals How Amy’s career led to her role as CEO of the Events Industry Council, and why she feels inspired by the industry’s broad passion and commitment to serve and connect How not just business leaders but people in any professional role can have a dramatic impact on diversity, sustainability and social responsibility How Amy views her role as a female business leader, and why she values mentorship relationships to help her thrive in her new role as a CEO Additional Resources from Jennifer Hoff: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferhoff1 Facebook: www.facebook.com/taffyeventstrategies/ Twitter: @TaffyEvents Additional Resources from Erika Welling: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/erika-welling-8a08048 Facebook: www.facebook.com/PRABusinessEvents/ Twitter: @ErikaWelling and @PRABizEvents Additional Resources from Amy Calvert: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amy-calvert-24449b2b FB: www.facebook.com/EventsIndustryCouncil/ Twitter: @Events_Council

Reggie Henry joined ASAE in November of 1994. His responsibilities are to implement “exemplary” systems at ASAE that can serve as a model to the rest of the association community and to “ratchet-up” the use and understanding of technology among ASAE members. He has been working with and/or for non-profit organizations since 1985. Mr. Henry speaks regularly on technology and strategy issues. Some of his most recent speaking engagements include the 2019 Empire State Leadership Conference, 2019 Digital Now Conference, 2019 Virginia Society of Association Executives Annual Meeting, 2018 New England Society of Associations Technology Conference (keynote), 2018 Community Brands Xperience Conference, 2018 Association Forum SmartTech Conference (keynote), and the 2018 International Association of Scholarly, Technical, and Medical Publishers Annual North American Conference. In 2009 he was invited by the Secretary of Smithsonian to participate in Smithsonian 2.0, a Gathering to Re-Imagine the Smithsonian in the Digital Age. Reggie was recently named one of the top 40 CIOs in DC-MD-VA area. Mr. Henry holds a B.S. in Economics and Computer Science from Georgetown University. Mr. Henry regularly serves on associations’ boards, most recently Educause and the National Association of Colleges and Employers. He enjoys cooking, drawing, pottery, and golf. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Reggie Henry’s role as CIO of ASAE and how he got there How Reggie Henry is changing the way that associations do memberships The impact of technology on interacting with members and constituents Why putting your employees first will allow you to get the most out of them How Reggie’s personal culture shows up at work ASAE’s role as the “association’s association” How Reggie presents new technology and strategies to the association industry without bias How associations and nonprofits are leveraging technology How the technology landscape and other trends have affected the association industry in the last five years Additional resources: Website: www.asaecenter.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reggiehenry/ Twitter: @ReggieHenry

Cathy Breden is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) with the responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations of the association, including overseeing marketing and communications, membership, education, conventions and events, and administration. In addition, she currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), whose primary purpose is to promote the growth, awareness, and value of exhibitions and other face-to-face marketing events by producing and delivering research-based knowledge tools. Ms. Breden earned the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 1990 and earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 1995. What you’ll learn about in this episode: What IAEE and CEIR are, and how they play an important role in advancing the B2B and B2C exhibition and trade show communities How Cathy’s career path led her to her current leadership roles at IAEE and CEIR, and how she had the unique opportunity to study association management in college How Cathy’s organizations work to engage with both associations and independent show organizers and create relevant content for both groups How IAEE’s culture works to support its team members and maintain a healthy work environment, and how Cathy coordinates remote team members under a shared vision What critical part of the IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum plays in promoting and advocating for women in the exhibition and events industry What benefits women receive from participating in the IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum, and how the program has continued to expand Why Cathy would advise her younger self to question authority and understand that leaders don’t necessarily have all the answers Why being flexible, adaptable, open to change, and willing to learn have been important pillars to Cathy’s success in her work What exciting events and education opportunities will be showcased at Expo! Expo! 2019, IAEE’s annual meeting and exhibition How the team at IAEE work to make a global impact on the industry, traveling all over the world to attend industry events Additional resources: Website: www.iaee.com Website: www.ceir.org LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cathybreden Twitter: @cbreden Twitter: @IAEE_HQ

Bob Alves co-founded ASI, the developer of iMIS Software for Associations. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Alves got his start in the association software market ASI’s inspiration to develop a software product that could be upgraded itself as well as through technological change Alves’ experience with identifying a need for data management software in the association and nonprofit industry How Alves made his partnership work for so long The importance of being open to outside help as a business leadership team How Alves navigated the inflection points as he grew ASI to $60M The simple, but powerful entrepreneurial approach of identifying a problem, diving in, and never looking back How Alves and his team manage a strong culture and low attrition rate across multiple offices in the technology industry ASI’s growth through acquisitions Additional resources: Website: https://www.advsol.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-alves-1229217/ Twitter: @RobAlvesBob

J. Rhett Evans is the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s (GCSAA) CEO. Evans joined GCSAA in July 2009 as their COO and was promoted to CEO in January 2011. He is the eighth CEO since the association’s founding in 1926. Evans is focused on expanding GCSAA’s reach and influence to become the global leader in golf course management. Under Evans, GCSAA has elevated the superintendents’ and industry’s voices through advocacy efforts at the national and grassroots levels. In addition, through Evans’ leadership of GCSAA and its philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute for Golf, the discussion of sustainability has progressed from theory to action at golf facilities at the state and facility level. GCSAA is spearheading the development of centralized best management practices. GCSAA’s enhancement of the vitality of the game of golf has been strengthened through Evans’ work with allied and industry organizations. Evans was instrumental in helping establish We Are Golf (WAG), a coalition of golf’s leading organizations working together to communicate the game’s economic, charitable, and environmental benefits to congressional leaders and local lawmakers. He served two terms as chairman of the board and is currently serving on the executive board of WAG as well as serving on the executive board for Golf 20/20. Evans represents the association and profession on the Golf Channel, Sirius XM Radio, and other national media outlets. Evans is a native of Prescott, Arizona. He and his wife, Colleen, have a daughter, Caite, and son, Seth. Evans is a four-time Ironman Triathlon finisher and an active adventurist. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Rhett’s career path led him to the role of CEO for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America What key role the GCSAA plays in professional and amateur golf, and why culture has been a key component of the GCSAA’s success What cultural changes Rhett made after stepping into his role to improve communication and to better serve the GCSAA’s members How Rhett works to ensure that everyone in the GCSAA is moving toward the same goals and vision to support the sport of golf How the GCSAA’s “Grassroots Ambassador” program is forging relationships between GCSAA members and members of the U.S. Congress What changes Rhett is seeing within the sport of golf, including environmental challenges as well as positive changes like an increase in girls taking up the sport What unexpected challenges and opportunities Rhett found when transitioning from COO of the GCSAA to the role of CEO Rhett discusses his interest in mountain climbing and his experience of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and other summits Why Rhett believes it is important to continue pushing yourself, breaking out of your comfort zone, and tackling new challenges How the GCSAA tracks member engagement and how they’re working to increase engagement throughout the organization Additional resources: Website: www.gcsaa.org Website: www.gcmonline.com Twitter: @GCSAACEO Twitter: @GSCAA

Mark Baker has been flying for more than 40 years, using airplanes for fun, commuting, and business. With more than 10,000 hours in the left seat and a commercial pilot certificate with single and multiengine land and seaplane ratings, rotorcraft rating, and type ratings in the Cessna Citation 500 and 525s, as well as a DC-3 type rating. Mark’s favorite plane is a Piper Super Cub he’s owned for more than 25 years. Before taking the helm at AOPA, Mark had a distinguished career in top leadership positions at companies including The Home Depot, Gander Mountain, and Orchard Supply Hardware. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Mark Baker changed the tone and trajectory of AOPA after taking over Why Baker chose to leave retail and move into an association The challenges Mark Baker had to overcome while transitioning to the nonprofit industry The importance of enabling and engaging your staff How Baker improved AOPA’s regional fly-ins and other types of member engagement events The challenges of advocacy in a complex association climate Where we are at with the growth of the pilot population The role that mentorship played in Baker’s growth as a leader Additional resources: Website: www.aopa.org Twitter: @AOPA

Gary Shapiro is president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™, the U.S. trade association representing more than 2,200 consumer technology companies and which owns and produces CES® – The Global Stage for Innovation. Shapiro directs a staff of about 200 employees and thousands of industry volunteers, leading his organization’s promotion of innovation as a national policy to spur the economy, create jobs, and cut the deficit. CTA advocates for skilled employees, immigration and free trade, and eliminating regulatory and tax burdens on innovators that delay, restrict, or ban products and services. CTA does not seek government funding for industry. Shapiro has testified before Congress on technology and business issues dozens of times and led the industry through its successful transition to HDTV. As chairman of the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC), Shapiro led the manufacturers’ battle to preserve the legality of recording technology and consumer fair-use rights, and was an early opponent in the fight to defeat SOPA and PIPA in Congress – legislation that would silence free speech online. He co-founded and chaired the HDTV Model Station, served as a leader of the Advanced Television Test Center (ATTC), and is a charter inductee to the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers, receiving its highest award as the industry leader most influential in advancing HDTV. In 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, The Hill named Shapiro one of the top lobbyists in Washington, D.C. Shapiro has also been repeatedly named one of the 100 most influential people in Washington by Washington Life magazine and a Tech Titan by Washingtonian magazine. He has also held many exhibition industry leadership posts and received the exhibition industry’s highest honors including the IAEE Pinnacle Award and Legend of the Industry Award. Under Shapiro’s leadership, CTA regularly wins awards for its success as a family-friendly employer, the healthiest workplace of its size in Washington, and as a “green” trade show producer. In 2019, CTA earned its sixth consecutive selection as a Washington Post Top Workplace. Shapiro is a New York Times bestselling author, whose books include “Ninja Future: Secrets to Success in the New World of Innovation” (HarperCollins, 2019), “Ninja Innovation: The Ten Killer Strategies of the World’s Most Successful Businesses” (HarperCollins, 2013), and “The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream” (Beaufort, 2011). Through these books and television appearances, and as a columnist whose more than 1,000 opinion pieces have appeared in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, Shapiro has helped direct policymakers and business leaders on the importance of innovation in the U.S. economy. Shapiro sat on the State Department’s Advisory Committee on International Communications and Information Policy and the American Enterprise Institute Global Internet Strategy Advisory Board. He also served as a member of the No Labels Executive Council and the United Nations Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development Panel of Advisers. He served on the Commonwealth of Virginia’s bipartisan Commission on Information Technology, which created policy positions for using the internet as a medium for business. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the Economic Club of Washington, and on the Board of Visitors of George Mason University. He has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a “mastermind” for his initiative in helping to create the Industry Cooperative for Ozone Layer Protection (ICOLP). And he is a member of the Churchill Club’s 2018 Academy. Prior to joining CTA in 1982, Shapiro was an associate at the law firm of Squire Sanders. He has also worked on Capitol Hill as an assistant to a member of Congress. He received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate with a double major in economics and psychology from Binghamton University. He is married to Dr. Susan Malinowski, a retina surgeon. What you’ll learn about in this episode: The defining moments in Shapiro’s career that brought him to this point CES and its influence on innovation and the future of technology The importance of believing 100% in your organization’s vision as a leader The global impact of Shapiro’s decisions How Shapiro aligns his personal culture and beliefs with the strategy of his organization The opportunity for business leaders to stand up for the people of the United States How Shapiro leverages the freedom that his board gives him Challenges of taking a hard stance and the backlash that can result The path to becoming a NYT bestselling author Additional resources: Website: www.CTA.tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-shapiro-56381a1/ Twitter: @GaryShapiro

Sam Lippman is President and Founder of Lippman Connects, providing executive-level consulting to the convention and exhibition industry in the areas of strategic planning, marketing and management. Sam is also a trained facilitator (A.C. Nielsen/Burke Institute) who has helped event producers, venues and cities understand their market position and determine their future plans. Since 2001, Sam has produced the Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) and the Large Show Roundtable (LSR). In 2011, Sam launched the Attendee Acquisition Roundtable (AAR) and in 2012 added the Exhibit Sales Roundtable (ESR). Before launching his company, Sam was Vice President of GASC, producing PRINT and GRAPH EXPO and was Vice President of the Consumer Electronics Show. Sam started his career with GES in 1977, working in Chicago, Detroit and New York City. Sam is a proponent of better education for the exhibition industry, and was presented an IAEE Merit Award for his contributions. He is an international speaker, author and teacher, and is often quoted by the media. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Lippman’s journey from freight room clerk to President of Lippman Connects The formation of the Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum The power of conventions and exhibitions as a marketing tool Current trends in the invisible industry Lippman Connects and Lippman’s role as a consultant in the exhibition industry Establishing credibility and expertise in your industry The role of technology in the exhibition and convention industry Similarities and differences of associations vs. for-profit show organizers Additional resources: Website: www.lippmanconnects.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samlippman/ Twitter: @lippmanconnects

Oscar Aparicio has leveraged his rich experience as an educator in the technology and enterprise SaaS space to drive software adoption. When not helping services departments scale, he enjoys watching an inordinate amount of football. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Eric Thurston’s lifelong love for the Denver Broncos Oscar Aparicio on the 49ers and the best team in NFL history Oldhead GMs that pick players based on what used to work The Peter Principle as it relates to players who move into management Examples of successful leadership through transition in the NFL How leaders in the NFL create a system that lifts people up Managing the coaching carousel The importance of being adaptable and innovative as a quarterback Additional resources: Website: https://www.ninersnation.com/49ers-podcast-better-rivals Twitter: @BetterRivals

David DuBois is the President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE). As IAEE’s leader, DuBois is responsible for the management of 23 full-time professional staff, producing the annual business operating plan and budget, overseeing the support of all meetings of governance units, leading business development, directing fundraising efforts, advocating for the industry and the organization’s members, providing organizational leadership and giving strategic counsel to the board. Also, he serves as the association’s representative with industry coalitions, partner organizations and strategic alliances. DuBois began his career with Sheraton Corporation in various sales positions including Regional Director of Sales and the Director of Marketing Programs. He has served as both President and CEO and Senior Vice President at the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) where he was responsible for all operations and a $7 million budget. As Senior Vice President, he managed the development of 15 new chapters and was responsible for magazine advertising sales and membership recruitment and retention. DuBois has also served as the Chief Operating Officer at Meeting Professionals International (MPI) from 1996-2000. During this time, he supported programs and services for more than 16,000 members worldwide and served as the Executive Vice President of the MPI Foundation. David has also served as MPI’s Vice President of Sales and Key Account Management and Vice President of Corporate Services. Most recently, DuBois has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau where he had oversight and full responsibility of 42 staff, with the responsibility of attracting convention and tourism business with an $8.5 million budget. DuBois has served as a board member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE); Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Texas Society of Association Executives; board member and Chairman of the Dallas-Fort Worth Tourism Council; and board member of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves as Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Convention Industry Council (CIC). He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Meetings Mean Business Coalition and the U.S. Travel Association. What you’ll learn about in this episode: David DuBois’s journey to becoming the President and CEO of IAEE How DuBois’s experience with sales and marketing in the hospitality industry prepared him for the association management The best thing about being a CEO How DuBois drives openness and trust in his staff The process of prioritizing decisions when limited financial resources are available David’s exhibition, Expo! Expo!, and what it is all about The face-to-face nature of the exhibit and exposition industry and technology’s impact on its future DuBois’s women’s leadership program, the challenges they face in the industry, and how they deal with them The biggest industry changes in the last five years, and the biggest challenges moving forward Additional resources: Website: www.iaee.com Twitter: david_iaee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-DuBois-3828a2125/

After a fruitful and successful 23-year career in the computer software industry, a near-death experience inspired Jay Irwin to transform his life and make a difference in the world. An adventurous soul who’s determined to inspire through wilderness experiences, Jay’s transition from the computer software industry to experiential leadership development didn’t happen overnight. While working with some of the largest computer software companies in the world, Jay started to realize his passion around wilderness adventure could enhance his experience leading and inspiring companies to increase their productivity and success via software solutions. That realization almost never came to fruition. After a morning skiing in the backcountry of Colorado, Jay found himself in the wrath of an avalanche. During the 8-hour struggle in the snow and debris, visions of his family kept his heart warm and as he was pulled out of the snow and on his way to surgery, Jay knew that he wanted to make changes to his life to help make a positive impact in his children’s lives and on the world. That determination stuck with Jay through his lengthy recovery, after which he set out on a year-long sabbatical to reconnect with the things in his life that mattered: his family and his love of adventure. A vision during a solo backpacking trip led Jay to start combining his love of adventure with the desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Jay now owns CBST Adventures, where he teaches audiences, from inner-city youth to C-suite executives, how to bring the gifts learned from wilderness experiences into daily life to create powerful and long-lasting change. Jay is an avalanche survivor, Ironman finisher, avid skier and backpacker, and a foolhardy mountain biker, but his underlying passion is being a dedicated father. Jay is also a board member of cityWILD, a local nonprofit bringing adventure and leadership to culturally diverse inner-city youth. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Jay Irwin’s transition from the corporate world to the entrepreneurial side Why Irwin chose to become an entrepreneur instead of taking another job in the software industry Why everything Irwin wishes he had learned is centered on leadership and dealing with people What is experiential leadership and how does Irwin implement it with CBST Adventures How CBST Adventures facilitates transformational events with progressive team building scenarios The types of teams that Jay Irwin works with, and how they are impacted by his programs The biggest change that Irwin has seen in the NFP market in the last 5 years Future challenges and opportunities that NFPs like cityWILD face Additional resources: Website: https://cbstadventures.com/ Twitter: @jayirwin66

A recognized leader in developing and launching innovative, online programs Amanda Myers brings 20 years of experience to her role as Director of Product Growth with Austin-based Personify. Her broad background includes developing highly engaging national campaigns, online tools and loyalty initiatives for household brands including Land’s End, Cars.com, Enfamil, Marvel and Samsung. The last seven years have seen Myers leverage this expertise to empower thousands of associations in driving similar levels of success with a strong focus on helping leaders understand their membership data, optimize their engagement and embrace new technologies for exceptional results. Myers has previously shared her passion for the nonprofit sector with audiences in speaking engagements at CESSE, ASAE MM&C and ASAE Annual. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How to compel younger generations to be apart of your NFP Moving into e-commerce with the charity and nonprofit market The psychology behind online behaviors of nonprofit audiences Distinguishing charities, nonprofits, and associations and their digital strategies Challenges that nonprofit organizations face now and in the future Leveraging data and market information to create long-term strategies that serve your members The importance of leadership investing in their own systems, tools, and programs to increase efficiency How to create meaningful interactions between your organization and your members Additional resources: Website: https://personifycorp.com/ Amanda’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swatymyers/

As DelCor’s founder and CEO, Loretta is the inspiration for her company’s work with associations and nonprofits. She has a particular interest in mission-critical business systems, such as AMS, and is an advocate for project management for complex IT projects. Loretta has served on ASAE’s Board of Directors and chaired a number of ASAE committees. For her exemplary support of the association community, Loretta received ASAE’s 2015 Academy of Leaders Award and was named Association TRENDS 2017 Association Partner of the Year. She was named an ASAE Fellow in 2007, an honor bestowed upon less than one percent of ASAE’s membership. Loretta’s commitment to the local community is evidenced in both her personal and professional endeavors. She serves on the Board of Visitors of Children’s National Medical Center and previously served on the Board of Directors of Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic. She has a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Maryland, Summa Cum Laude. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Loretta accidentally ended up in entrepreneurship and started selling databases and apps to companies Loretta’s “turn back” moment and how she fought through doubts to continue on her entrepreneurial path How Loretta’s ability to rely on and trust her teammates has brought her business a unique level of success Why Loretta entered – and stuck with – the association market and what makes it different from other markets What Loretta views as the most important thing she has learned to make herself a better leader The values Loretta follows to keep her employees with her company for twenty years or more Changes Loretta is seeing in the association market and how organizations can roll with those changes The impending challenges associations are facing and the questions associations should ask themselves in order to come up with solutions Additional resources from Eric Thurston: Website: https://personifycorp.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ericthurston/ Additional resources from Loretta DeLuca: Website: https://www.delcor.com/

Amy Porter founded AffiniPay in 2005 and now serves at the company’s Executive Chairman. In this role, Amy steers the direction of the team and has led the company to 12 consecutive years of profitability. Her knowledge and experience in the payment industry have helped her build a dynamic, talented, and client-focused team dedicated to the success of association and member-based organizations. AffiniPay is also the technology behind the company’s industry-leading payment solutions LawPay and CPACharge. Together, these solutions are trusted by more than 60,000 professionals and recommended by hundreds of bar associations and CPA societies, including the American Bar Association and AICPA. In 2016, Amy was named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® in Financial Technology for Central Texas. What you’ll learn about in this episode: How Amy got involved in the payment industry in the mid 1990s, long before the industry began to be called “fintech” How the industry has evolved significantly, and why Amy decided to start her own company, AffiniPay Why automated renewal is a powerful technology that allows associations to add value and improve their renewal numbers dramatically Why recognizing opportunities and wanting to bring people innovative solutions pushed Amy to launch two different businesses in the payment industry Why Amy tries not to fall into the trap of being a “woman entrepreneur”, and what advice she has to offer to young women leaders today Why Amy and AffiniPay was excited to partner with Eric’s company, Personify, and why they each saw a tremendous opportunity from the partnership What major changes Amy has seen in the nonprofit and association markets in the last few years, and why member engagement efforts are rapidly changing Why increasing competition from the private sector for resources is going to be an ongoing challenge for nonprofits and associations in the future How Amy has made the transition from CEO to Executive Chairman, and how she recognized that it was time to bring in new executive team members with fresh perspectives Additional resources from Eric Thurston: Website: https://personifycorp.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ericthurston/ Additional resources from Amy Porter: Website: https://affinipay.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amy-porter-21556636/ AffiniPay for Associations resources: Website: https://affinipayassociations.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apforassociations/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/affinipay-for-associations/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AffinipayA

Eric Thurston has enabled many of the world’s leading organizations to leverage technology solutions to drive business performance. At Personify, he led the company through a founder transition, a major product rewrite and has transformed the organization into the market leader of constituent management and engagement solutions. In 2018, he led Personify’s acquisition of events software provider a2z, the company’s third acquisition under Eric’s guidance, and successfully positioned Personify to be sold from its private equity sponsor Rubicon Technology Partners to Pamlico Capital. Eric is committed to creating a suite of complementary best-in-breed solutions that help Personify’s clients achieve their missions. He has a wealth of experience in the software industry, serving in leadership roles at Mitratech, P2 Energy Solutions, Oracle and SAP. Eric lives in Austin and enjoys boating, hiking and fishing with his family. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Oscar introduces himself and discusses his work at Personify, and he shares his enthusiasm for the San Francisco 49ers Eric shares how he became the CEO of Personify, a mid-sized software company whose products are primarily designed for associations, charities and nonprofits Eric discusses his background in the software industry and the private equity world, and he shares how he was tapped to take over Personify when the founder left Eric talks about his work at Personify and discusses the challenge of taking over an existing business with an established culture Eric reviews some of the acquisitions he has made with other companies, and he shares how he has successfully integrated those acquisitions Eric talks about how he developed his personal mantra, “Invest in people and they will change the world” Eric discusses the importance of failure and the benefits that come from learning from your mistakes Eric explains how he defines leadership, and he shares the kinds of stories he plans to share in future episodes Additional resources: Website: www.theplanetleadership.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ericthurston/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ojaparicio/ Eric’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlanetLeaders1

Eric Thurston has enabled many of the world’s leading organizations to leverage technology solutions to drive business performance. At Personify, he led the company through a founder transition, a major product rewrite and has transformed the organization into the market leader of constituent management and engagement solutions. In 2018, he led Personify’s acquisition of events software provider a2z, the company’s third acquisition under Eric’s guidance, and successfully positioned Personify to be sold from its private equity sponsor Rubicon Technology Partners to Pamlico Capital. Eric is committed to creating a suite of complementary best-in-breed solutions that help Personify’s clients achieve their missions. He has a wealth of experience in the software industry, serving in leadership roles at Mitratech, P2 Energy Solutions, Oracle and SAP. Eric lives in Austin and enjoys boating, hiking, and fishing with his family.   What you’ll learn about in this episode: Meet your host, Eric Thurston, and learn about his role as the CEO of a dynamic mid-sized software company Why Eric decided to launch the Planet Leadership podcast as a way to share unique stories of business leaders, associations and nonprofits that aren't being told elsewhere Why the podcast was named Planet Leadership to reflect its goal of sharing stories of people and organizations who are trying to change the planet Why nonprofit organizations, who are doing incredible work, also face remarkable challenges they have to overcome Why the private equity world is another area the podcast will cover, featuring interviews focused on building a great culture, scaling, team building, and rebranding What Eric and his team look for in a company when considering an acquisition, and how they integrate an acquired organization into their own   Additional resources:   Website: www.theplanetleadership.com